How to Treat Arthritis of the Back?

Back pain is one of the most common health problems in the United States - some 50 percent to 80 percent of adults have had back pain at some time, and 10 percent of all Americans have back pain in a given year. Back pain can occur at any age in both men and women. Back pain affects 50 to 80 percent of people in the U.S. at some point in their lives. In any given year, 10 percent of adults experience back pain or other symptoms, such as limited mobility or stiffness Each year America alone spends an estimated $24 billion on treatments for back pain as compared to the overall expenditure of countries.

Symptoms

Generally, the signs and symptoms of arthritis include inflammation, stiffness and pain in the joints. In the spine, symptoms may also include one or more of the following:

• Back pain that comes and goes
• Spinal stiffness in the morning such as after getting out of bed or after activity

Often this pain decreases with rest or, for some, after exercise

• Pain, tenderness or numbness in the neck
• Lower back pain that runs down into the buttocks, thighs, or pelvic area, sciatica
• Pain or tenderness in the shoulders, hips, knees or heels
• A crunching feeling or sound of bone rubbing on bone
• Weakness or numbness in legs or arms
• Limited range of motion, difficulty bending or walking
• Spinal deformity

Diagnosis

If your back pain is severe, it is a good idea to visit your doctor. You could also be asked to undergo the following tests too:

• Blood tests
• X-rays
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
• Computerized axial tomography (CAT scan)
• Bone scan
• Myelogram

A few treatments for back pain:

Hot treatment

For some people, nothing soothes a sore back like heat. In a recent study published continuous (eight hours daily) application of low-level heat (104 degrees F) for eight hours eased acute back pain better than either of two commonly used drugs, ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

Go for the cold

When back pain is severe, applying something cold can reduce pain and swelling by restricting the blood vessels and preventing fluids from leaking into the surrounding tissues. Cold therapy can also numb the affected nerves and distract your mind from the source of your pain.

Get physical

If you have back pain or are recovering from surgery, physical therapy can help strengthen the muscles in your back to help relieve back pain or regain motion.

A physical therapist will custom-tailor exercises to your particular condition.

Work out in water

You know how good it feels to soak in warm water, especially when your back is aching. It turns out that warm water may also be a good place to stretch and strengthen the muscles in your back.